Lecture. “Words Matter: Storytelling with President Obama in an Age of Sound Bites.” 4:30-6 p.m., Institute of Politics, 5707 S. Woodlawn Ave., 773-834-4671, free. Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau presents.
Musical Performance. New Organ Recital: Lunch with Mr. Skinner. 12:30-1 p.m., Rockefeller Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave., 773-702-2100, free. Part of a series of recitals with Tom Weisflog and guest organists.
Lectures. The Changing Nature of Security in a New Century. Noon-1:30 p.m., Institute of Politics, 5707 S. Woodlawn Ave., 773-834-4671, free. Former Colorado Senator and presidential candidate Gary Hart presents.
Wednesday Night Family Story Time. 6:30 a.m., Blackstone Library, 4904 S. Lake Park Ave., 312-747-0511.
Knitting and Needle Crafters Circle. 6 p.m., Blackstone Library, 4904 S. Lake Park Ave., 312-747-0511.
Musical Performance. MTHP Artists Series. 6:30 p.m., Blackstone Library, 4904 S. Lake Park Ave., 312-747-0511, free. Various members of Music Teachers of Hyde Park perform.
Lecture. “Afghanistan in the Achaemenid and Hellenistic Eras.” 7-9 p.m., Oriental Institute, Breasted Hall, 1155 E. 58th St., 773-702-9514. Philippe Marquis, director of the French archeological delegation to Afganistan, presents. Call 773-834-9775 for more information.
Author Talk. “What Kinship Is – And Is Not.” 6-7 p.m., Seminary Co-op Bookstore, 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave., 773-752-4381, semcoop.com. U. of C. anthropologist Marshall Sahlins discusses his similarly titled latest book.